260 A HISTORY OF GARDENING IN ENGLAND 
Nottingham, in 1696-1697, altered them, and added two, which 
are spoken of as the “ 106 foot ” and the “ 56 foot ” Walks. 1 
Repton sets forth in his usual style the reasons for his proposals 
with regard to these terraces and other alterations at Burley. 
The principles on which they were to “ be conducted/’ he 
writes, was a “ strict adherence to those parts of ancient garden¬ 
ing which contribute to its magnificence as a work of Art, but 
not in the instances where proper advantage can be taken of 
the natural beauties of its situation, and here a very happy 
line of separation presents itself. The upper great terrace in 
which the house stands is partly natural and partly artificial, 
and this ought to be preserved and acknowledged as a work of 
Art.” He then proceeds to explain in detail how “ the Upper 
Terrace may be preserved and the others obliterated.” 2 The 
present grand terrace as altered by Repton measures 840 feet 
long and 100 feet wide, 3 and the balustrade which he placed 
along the entire length is 3 feet high. The wall which supports 
the terrace is 12 feet high, of white stone and brick, and nothing 
but a narrow path running along its base now separates it from 
the park. Having disposed of the terraces, Repton goes on 
to say, “ It unfortunately happens we must also remove the 
kitchen garden,” and he explains that this should be placed 
near the stables. He was not, however, permitted to do this, 
and the old garden, with its fruit-trees and glass, may still be 
seen. 4 The old bowling-green on the west was untouched by 
1 “ Varney and Baker, Masons, by turning arches in y e 106 foot walk 
3 half arches, 64 walls to bear those arches, ^23 8s. 
“ By building part of the wall between y e io6 ft walk and 56^ walk, 
East of the Steps, and part of the East staircase, ^3 13s. 6|d. 
“ Varney, by building part of wall at end of the 56 ft walk, £1 os. 9|d. 
2 “ If the Upper terrace remains, the earth taken from the second 
terrace will be sufficient for levelling those below. This I compute at 
45o ft long x 70 wide x 5 deep, or 157,500 cub. ft., or 5,833 cub. yds., 
which I suppose could be moved at 4d.—whole cost, ^100. I compute 
the length to be at about 450 ft., because I propose the ends to be 
planted with thorns, holly, and hazels, and low growing brush wood/’ 
3 Practically 106 feet, if measured from the wall of the house, and 
not from the foot of the steps leading into it. 
4 The glass in this garden dated from the Earl of Nottingham’s time. 
In his accounts for 1712 an entry occurs of payment to “ Mr. Blunt, 
ye Painter, by painting ye Melon frames in ye garden, 116 yards at 
6d., ^2 18s. od.” 
